Dawood Ahmed, Qaseem Shah:
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday said that while the use of nuclear weapons is not currently under consideration, any escalation could have far-reaching consequences beyond South Asia. His remarks come amid rising military tensions between Pakistan and India.
In an interview with Geo News, Asif stated, “The nuclear option is not on the table right now, but the world must understand that if the situation deteriorates, it will not remain limited to this region — the destruction could be widespread.”
He warned that India’s aggressive posture is narrowing Pakistan’s diplomatic and strategic choices. “The more India pushes this agenda, the fewer options we are left with,” Asif added, stressing that no meeting of the National Command Authority — the body overseeing nuclear policy — has been convened so far.
Meanwhile, the situation along the Line of Control continues to worsen. Mazhar Hussain Shah, spokesperson for the AJK government, reported that at least 13 civilians were killed overnight due to Indian shelling, including a child under the age of 10. Over 50 others have been injured in various parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
President Asif Ali Zardari also issued a strong statement condemning India’s aggression. He said Pakistan had been left with no choice but to respond decisively in defense of its sovereignty. “The nation stands firmly behind its armed forces and will safeguard every inch of our territory,” the statement from the Presidency read.
As tensions continue to rise, Pakistani leadership has called for international attention to prevent further escalation and ensure regional stability.
